Overheard In A Cafe

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R._N._Taber

This poem reflects just what its title suggests, a conversation overheard in a café. I have included it in my new collection. I came away from that cafe feeling more than a little relieved that I am not alone in finding the various world religions divisive.

Societies force-feed us religion from the time we are knee high to a grasshopper. It is reassuring to know that some people manage to take the better (kinder, more compassionate?) elements of religion while sidelining the rest, breaking away from the dogma while retaining its spirituality in the way they take other people as they find them...without rushing to judgement as so many religious-minded folks are inclined. It is not religion that is at fault but many of those who preach it, selecting to home in on whatever suits their own perspective; a perspective that may well have far less to do with religion than its founders intended.

Be clear. I am not knocking religion, only those who use it to their own advantage, frequently feeding a desire for influence and power that is contrary to all the principles upon which faith and religion are meant to turn.

It is to their credit that not all followers of this religion or that are as gullible as their self-styled leaders appear to believe, proving that religion does not have to be as divisive as their "betters" paradoxically insist.

Me, as regular readers will know, I take my spirituality from nature.


OVERHEARD IN A CAFÉ

What would we do without religion,
where would we be?
For a start, we’d have a kinder world,
less bigotry

What would we do without religion
telling us what to say?
For a start, commonsense might just
win the day

What would we do without religion
putting us in our place?
For a start, love and peace, not about
saving face

What would we do without religion,
no God to blame?
For a start, a common humanity living
up to its name

Where would we be without religion
separating us out,
Holy Books vying with each other to
put us right?

Where would we be without religion
promising salvation
for all the guilt, despair and grief
it feeds upon?

Where would we be without religion,
what would we have done?
For a start, arguing over some other
rhetorical question

Yes, waiter, more tea and cakes please
and…any answers?

[From: On The Battlefields Of Love by R. N. Taber, Assembly Books, 2010]

Leaves From A Journal

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R._N._Taber

A German reader has writen to ask abouttranslating some of my poems for a collection in German. Please can to contact me again, directly this time so I have an email address to which I can reply. Contact the address in my blog Introduction: rogertab@aol.com

Meanwhile...

‘Jenny & Alan’ readers from Birmingham asked me to include this poem in my new collection after reading it on the blog back in 2007. I was delighted to oblige and hope you and they will find lots to enjoy in whole collection.

This poem is a kenning.

LEAVES FROM A JOURNAL

I am a mother, keeping things together
even as they are seen to be falling apart
at the seams, nothing as it seems to eyes
homing in from this street, that fence…
failing to see through slats in blinds down
for the duration (a ritual celebration?);
Mother love, putting out feelers for ways
to end wars between brothers and sisters,
in-laws and neighbours

I am a father, owner-occupier, mortgage
repayments having to take priority over
designer gear, latest PlayStation, school
trips to Paris…not to mention a new car
that’s smarter, faster, than the one before,
sure to put theirs next door in the shade
and, no, we can’t just pile more credit on
cards unless you really fancy explaining
bankruptcy to the neighbours

I am a child, weary of the rows between
mum and dad, a sibling rivalry that’s not
half as bad as everyone’s making out…
and who cares if the neighbours have cash
to flash about for cool vacations in prime
locations, digitals galore telling tales sure
to have us wagging tongues, scaling rungs?
Sure, it’s ok to have this ‘n’ that - but not
if it means we keep scaring the cat

As spring to a branch, autumn to its tree,
I make, I take, I am family 

[From: On The Battlefields Of Love by R. N. Taber, Assembly Books, 2010]

Acolyte

Someone recently commented to me that he has, “no problem with gay people as such. But, like all those who choose to flout convention, they are attention seekers and would probably change their tune quick enough if they didn’t get any.”

I couldn’t believe my ears, especially as it was clear the guy was sincere. I put to him that sexuality is in the genes and has nothing to do with deliberately choosing to flout convention or be a focus of attention. He would have none of it. “Where would society be without its conventions,” he demanded. “Without golden rules to live by, you’d have anarchy.”

Funny, I had never thought of myself as an anarchist…until now!

Yes, of course we need golden rules to live by. At the same time, thank goodness for some golden exceptions too, among which, of course, sexuality is but one.

This poem is a kenning.

ACOLYTE

I know my place, would show
others, though some refuse to learn,
take me for an enemy, refuse
to see I have their well-being at heart,
would prefer not to toss them
like flotsam and jetsam on such waves
as the great god Society enjoys
making for those who dare question
if its integrity fit for purpose

I know my place, would teach
others to know theirs, better by far
to tread in footprints already
leading the way across snow and ice
than take another path,
making out it will lead somewhere
when there’s no guarantee
it will lead anywhere at all, so those
follow but heading for a fall

I know my place, would plead
with others to know theirs and lead
by good example
Into the quiet waters of expediency
leave politics and religion
free to hoist colours that barely flap
in a breeze, anxious to please,
avoid looking closely at the integrity
of a sexuality fit for purpose

My place, to bring to Society’s attention
who queer me, its acolyte, Convention

Copyright R. N. Taber, 2010